Posted this to answer a question below, but I wanted to repeat it here in case the other was missed. I've been working phones all day/evening and just hung up on a couple different calls as well as some texts within the past 15 minutes, so I apologize for not answering Rooster's question sooner. Appreciate the patience.
Here goes:
I think the hire will come as soon as Jones is convinced he has the right person but also covers his bases in terms of speaking with a couple of other candidates.
Absolutely, Mike DeBord is far and away with leading candidate --- and Tennessee has been checking sources on DeBord but also vetting multiple other candidates. Michigan when 52-11 while DeBord was the OC including a national title. DeBord is apparently also a candidate for a position on the offensive staff with the Atlanta Falcons under Dan Quinn who will be taking that job after the Super Bowl. Quinn is the DC at Seattle and DeBord was on staff with him there.
DeBord remains on campus and has met extensively with Jones and his entire staff this weekend, as well as other people on campus. He's also, we've heard, logged some time with some Vols' players including Josh Dobbs.
We have spoken to multiple members in the UTC athletics department and multiple members in the UT athletics department who do not confirm anything going on with Durden. "No, that's just not true at all."
I think in speaking with Butch he has a strong relationship with Zach and wants to see him succeed and grow his career but also would love to keep Z here. I do know from folks on campus that something along the lines of "passing game coordinator" and perhaps an increase in pay have been discussed.
However, I'm point-blank told by people connected to the CMU search that they were telling folks, "We want a Butch Jones guy." Obviously that could be Azzanni or even John Jancek, since they could not sway Mike Bajakian from the NFL.
I think like a lot of people when I first heard Mike DeBord's name on Wednesday night, I knew that was someone nearly hired at UT in Fulmer's last year but didn't know much since then.
Having worked the phones now for several days, the guy has a pretty strong reputation. This is not a case where CBJ had his mind made up and wouldn't listen to outside people or isn't talking to other candidates. He's doing both.
But I expect if/when DeBord is the guy, and CBJ formally introduces him, the list of references is going to be pretty darn strong.
I do hear, not from someone on campus but in the college football world, that Kurt Roper had expressed interest, but I am not sure he's on Tennessee's short list of about five guys.
This post was edited on 1/24 10:40 PM by Brent_Hubbs
Here goes:
I think the hire will come as soon as Jones is convinced he has the right person but also covers his bases in terms of speaking with a couple of other candidates.
Absolutely, Mike DeBord is far and away with leading candidate --- and Tennessee has been checking sources on DeBord but also vetting multiple other candidates. Michigan when 52-11 while DeBord was the OC including a national title. DeBord is apparently also a candidate for a position on the offensive staff with the Atlanta Falcons under Dan Quinn who will be taking that job after the Super Bowl. Quinn is the DC at Seattle and DeBord was on staff with him there.
DeBord remains on campus and has met extensively with Jones and his entire staff this weekend, as well as other people on campus. He's also, we've heard, logged some time with some Vols' players including Josh Dobbs.
We have spoken to multiple members in the UTC athletics department and multiple members in the UT athletics department who do not confirm anything going on with Durden. "No, that's just not true at all."
I think in speaking with Butch he has a strong relationship with Zach and wants to see him succeed and grow his career but also would love to keep Z here. I do know from folks on campus that something along the lines of "passing game coordinator" and perhaps an increase in pay have been discussed.
However, I'm point-blank told by people connected to the CMU search that they were telling folks, "We want a Butch Jones guy." Obviously that could be Azzanni or even John Jancek, since they could not sway Mike Bajakian from the NFL.
I think like a lot of people when I first heard Mike DeBord's name on Wednesday night, I knew that was someone nearly hired at UT in Fulmer's last year but didn't know much since then.
Having worked the phones now for several days, the guy has a pretty strong reputation. This is not a case where CBJ had his mind made up and wouldn't listen to outside people or isn't talking to other candidates. He's doing both.
But I expect if/when DeBord is the guy, and CBJ formally introduces him, the list of references is going to be pretty darn strong.
I do hear, not from someone on campus but in the college football world, that Kurt Roper had expressed interest, but I am not sure he's on Tennessee's short list of about five guys.
This post was edited on 1/24 10:40 PM by Brent_Hubbs
